Speed, alcohol believed to be factors in Barry County crash that left driver seriously injured

DELTON, MI -- The driver of a pick-up truck that police believe went airborne before crashing into a tree was ejected from his truck and later found next to his “mangled” vehicle in Barry County Tuesday evening.

A 32-year-old man was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital after he lost control of his truck and struck a tree. File Photo

The 32-year-old man was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo with “very serious injuries” after the single-vehicle crash on Cedar Creek Road near Drake, according to a news release from the Barry Township Police Department.

“Preliminary investigation appears to indicate the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Cedar Creek Road when the driver lost control of his pickup, went airborne and slammed into a tree and hit an embankment before coming to a rest against a second tree,” the release said.

Police said they responded to the accident and found the man on the ground next to a Toyota pick-up truck that was next to a tree. He was immediately treated at the scene and then airlifted to the hospital.

“Indicators were he was not wearing his seatbelt,” the release said. “It does appear alcohol was a factor.” The accident remains under investigation.

The Barry Township Police Department was assisted at the scene by Barry/Hope Medical First Responders and the Barry County Sheriff’s Department for accident reconstruction.